Let's embark on a short journey through the serene waters of Venice, where gondolas have been sailing for centuries. In the heart of this Italian lakeside city, these iconic craft have been more than mere means of transport: they have embodied luxury, tradition and craftsmanship. Let's discover how each elegant curve and meticulously crafted fitting has evolved, bearing witness to the nautical expertise inherited from generations of passionate builders and craftsmen.
Elegance on the water
The history of the gondola dates back to the rich hours of the Venetian Renaissance, with pictorial traces present as early as the 15th and 16th centuries. At the time, these boats symbolized luxury and prestige, and were used to transport the nobility through the canals of Venice.
With their flat bottoms, two pointed ends and elegant design, the gondolas offered a high degree of comfort. A front and rear deck allowed passengers to get on and off with ease, while two bench seats welcomed them underneath felze a tendelet that protected them from the sun and rain as they cruised the Venetian canals. These boats were around 9 meters long, 1.40 meters wide and 50 centimeters high.
They were equipped with a tolet called forcola a 70-centimeter-high piece of wood with two notches at the back, in which the gondolier chose to place his oar depending on the maneuver to be performed. Venice's canals were narrow, allowing only single-oar maneuvers, with the gondolier generally standing at the stern. Sometimes, a second gondolier would stand at the bow to help with complex maneuvers.
In 1609, a law was passed requiring all gondolas to be pitch-black, a symbol of elegance and sobriety. The gondola thus became the preferred means of transport for Venice's noble families, reflecting their high social status.
In the 16th century, Venice was home to some 9,000 gondolas. So central were gondolas that aristocratic families sometimes moved the main entrances to their homes to face the canals. Less wealthy Venetians used a variant of the gondola for their essential errands; a kind of ferry that allowed them to cross the Grand Canal.
Shipbuilding: a pillar of Venetian power
Shipbuilding has long been a driving force behind the prosperity of the City of the Doges. In the 18th century, Venice was home to some fifty squeri small private shipyards. The rivers that flowed into the lagoon enabled builders to receive timber directly from the eastern Alps, transported via the Piave and Adige rivers. The Republic of Venice strictly supervised tree-cutting. Carpenters from the mountains came to Venice to work in these yards. This is how the Tramontina family opened the Chantier Tramontin, the oldest workshop still active in Venice, where skills have been preserved and perpetuated over the years.
The Venetian wooden shipbuilding industry used a complex system of supply chains. Gondolas were built from a variety of materials, including oak, larch, fir, elm, lime, cherry, walnut and boxwood. The squararioli the logs were carefully selected and cut into planks using special saws. One side of the planks was heated over a reed fire to bend it, while the other side remained wet to maintain flexibility. This method produced curved shapes suitable for gondola construction.
In the first half of the 19th century, the filling in of certain canals, the construction of a link between the island and the mainland, and the building of new bridges over the Grand Canal radically transformed urban traffic, reducing the use of gondolas. This century saw the disappearance of the once ubiquitous family gondolas.
In 2024, only a handful of yards are still dedicated to the construction and repair of gondolas in Venice, nestled in the nooks and crannies of the lagoon. Mass tourism, developed since the 1970s, justifies the maintenance of over 400 gondolas.
Evolution towards an asymmetrical hull
Between the 16th and 18th centuries, the appearance of gondolas underwent a significant transformation. The hull lengthened to 11 meters, and the ends were straightened.
The stern iron becomes more discreet, while the bow iron adopts a shape close to the one we know today. The felze mounted on a more imposing structure, is now available in a fully canvas-covered winter version.
From the 17th century onwards, the asymmetry of the gondola became more pronounced. The hull arched, making the boat easier to handle. The bow became narrower, while the stern widened to compensate for the gondolier's weight. The bottom of the gondola becomes deeper on the port side than on the starboard side, neutralizing the effects of the gondolier's lateral weight and the starboard oar stroke.
A combined craft effort
The construction of a gondola, from its initial conception to its finishing touches, requires nearly two months of coordinated effort. The finishing touches are particularly meticulous, requiring the skills of various craftsmen, often handed down from generation to generation. The sculptor may spend several weeks perfecting the details of a single boat, while the cabinetmaker will be called upon to shape the felze .
On the hull side, the use of black lacquer highlights every curve. Traditionally, the hull was impregnated with pitch, and the remaining parts were painted with a mixture of baked linseed oil, sandarac (cypress resin) and lampblack. Now it's protected by six coats of "gondola black" lacquer, applied one by one under a tarpaulin to ensure a perfect finish. The mirror effect will be scrutinized by the entire gondolier guild. As for the oars, they are no longer made from ash and ramin, but from tropical wood.
Visit thank you sculpts the forcola according to the gondolier's morphology and navigation habits.
The finishing touches are added by sculptors, painters and gilders.
The refinement extends to the furniture, including chairs, cushions and rugs.
The gondola's bow fittings remain emblematic of the city of Venice. The overall structure represents the six sestieri the upper part evokes the doge's cap, a reminder of the glorious past of the Venetian Republic. The bar that folds back represents the island of Giudecca and the small arch above the ferro symbolizes the Rialto Bridge. The function of the ferro is not limited to aesthetic or symbolic considerations: its weight also contributes to balancing the gondola and offsetting the weight of the gondolier at the back. Today's fittings are made of aluminum and stainless steel, rather than solid iron.
No gondola without a gondolier
To be a gondolier in Venice is to embrace a profession fraught with responsibility. Navigating with precision through the city's narrow canals requires exceptional mastery of the craft, as well as a thorough knowledge of currents and tides. What's more, the gondolier must contend with the vagaries of Venetian weather, juggling the spray of the lagoon and the capricious winds. These days, being a gondolier also requires a deep connection with Venice's history and culture. The job is demanding, requiring total dedication and an unconditional love for the city and its lakeside heritage.
Aspiring gondoliers must pass a rigorous examination that tests their navigation skills, knowledge of foreign languages and understanding of Venetian traditions. Only the best candidates qualify for the prestigious title, earning the right to navigate the narrow canals and under the bridges of Venice, dressed in the traditional sailor's hat, black pants and straw hat. The modern gondolier is an athlete, a craftsman, a historian and a cultural ambassador all rolled into one. Although today's gondoliers are exclusively male, the first female gondolier, Maria Boscola, made history by obtaining her license in 2010, thus perpetuating a centuries-old family tradition.
Over 2,000 boats at the Vogalonga
Since 1975, the Vogalonga has been a must-attend nautical event. Every year, this non-competitive 30 km itinerary brings together 2,000 boats and 8,000 rowers to celebrate the beauty and tradition of Venice.
